NATO warships join US and UK-led maritime exercise to enhance interoperability, train Ukraine’s Navy

Europe, News, US June 29, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO ships joined the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, and Ukrainian Navy for a joint mine countermeasure exercise Sea Breeze 2024 in the Firth of Clyde Sea near Glasgow. The exercise started on June 26 and will continue until July 5, 2024.

Naval ships and personnel from NATO members and partner nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Romania, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Greece, Georgia, and Japan are participating in the exercise to train, observe, and mentor.

According to the NATO MARCOM statement, Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) is participating in the exercise with three ships, including German flagship FGS Donau, French ship FS Céphée, and Estonian ship ENS Ugandi. The Ukrainian ships Cherkasy and Chernihiv, donated by the UK Royal Navy, are also taking part in the naval exercise.

The exercise is aimed at addressing the challenges posed by mines to maritime safety and security, global food security, and commerce. The joint naval exercise will allow participating nations to improve their interoperability with their closest Allies and Partners.

Commander of Submarines NATO Rear Admiral Thomas Wall highlighted the importance of training the Ukrainian navy and enhancing their operational capabilities as well as demining the Black Sea.

Rear Admiral Thomas Wall said, “Exercise Sea Breeze is more than a military exercise; it’s a symbol of our unity and commitment since 1997. Jointly spearheaded by the US Sixth Fleet and Ukraine maritime forces, hosted by the Royal Navy, and backed by NATO Maritime Command, we are all dedicated to enhancing Ukrainian Mine countermeasure capabilities.”

Royal Navy Commodore Steven Banfield MBE, Co-Chair of the Maritime Capability Development Coalition for Ukraine, said, “Our ability to train and rehearse, whilst growing the capability of the Ukrainian Navy, will support the globally shared long-term goal of creating a safe and prosperous maritime environment in the Black Sea.”

“This activity will be essential to support the economy of Ukraine through ensuring the free flow of maritime trade… I have been hugely impressed and inspired by the crews of the Chernihiv and Cherkasy,” he added.

Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68 Commodore Capt. Geoffrey Townsend said, “Sea Breeze 2024 provides an opportunity for Allies and partners to improve interoperability and train for a post-conflict era Black Sea region.”

Townsend highlighted that “It is crucial for Allies and partners to have a venue to work side-by-side on mine countermeasures, especially with the great threat floating mines pose to maritime safety and security in the Black Sea as a result of the war in Ukraine. Sea Breeze brings together NATO Allies and partners to conduct maritime, air, and land command and control and security operations, improving readiness and responsiveness.”

NATO ships join U.S. 6th Fleet and UK Royal Navy for Exercise Sea Breeze 24 — *^{NATO ships transit in formation with Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels during Exercise Sea Breeze 24 on June 25, 2024. (Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense/Senior Airman Jan K. Valle)}*

Chief of Training Command of Ukrainian Navy Command Commodore Dmytro Kovalenko, who is leading the Ukrainian group, highlighted the importance of training with NATO and partner nations throughout the European theater and said, “The Black Sea is a major hub for imports and exports, and training for a post-conflict era [the] Black Sea is key to preserving security and stability. Participating in exercises like Sea Breeze supports maritime security and our fight for democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”

According to the U.S. Navy statement, the U.S. participation in Sea Breeze 2024-1 includes 10 exercise support personnel from 6th Fleet’s CTF-68 and four personnel from a U.S. Expeditionary Warfare Training Group (EWTG). “U.S. 6th Fleet and Bulgarian Naval Forces will co-host Sea Breeze 2024-2 and 2024-3 in Bulgaria later this year,” it added.